Equivalent Means (Exemptions)

What is Equivalent Means and how to apply?

January 2019

When you apply for Equivalent Means, we may recognise your certificated learning and work-based learning by granting exemption from the qualification and training requirements such as the Common Professional Examination (CPE), Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Period of Recognised Training (PRT).

Should I apply?

Do you:

want to qualify as a solicitor through certificated learning and work-based learning1?

want to apply for exemption from any part of the route to qualification i.e the CPE/LPC/PRT or Professional Skills Course (PSC)? If so you must have worked or volunteered in a legal capacity (for example, as a paralegal, or as a legal caseworker for a charity) and/or have certificated learning which is equivalent to these stages of training

want to apply for exemption from having a degree before starting the CPE?

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national and are partially qualified in an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland, you can apply to us for Morgenbesser exemption. We will assess your experience directly against the outcomes required of a newly qualified solicitor.

Partial exemption from the CPE or LPC

We can only grant full exemption from the CPE or LPC (Stage 1, Stage 2 or both).

You may be eligible to apply to your education provider for a partial exemption from the CPE or LPC. You must apply to them directly. It is normal to apply for any exemptions when you apply for entry to the course.

Education providers grant exemptions based on their own academic regulations. If you’re thinking about applying for an exemption, contact your preferred provider before you choose a course.

Your course provider will decide whether any exemption reduces the period of study or course fee.

CPE partial exemption

A CPE provider can grant partial exemptions from any of the seven foundations of legal knowledge and one additional area of legal study based on your certificated or work-based learning.

LPC partial exemption

Bar Vocational Course

If you have passed all elements and been awarded the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) an LPC provider can exempt you from the following modules:

Stage 1 - Litigation, advocacy, drafting and practical legal research

Stage 2 - Two vocational electives

Bar Professional Training Course

If you have passed all elements and been awarded the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) an LPC prover can exempt you from the following modules:

Stage 1 - Litigation, advocacy, drafting

Stage 2 - Two vocational electives

To claim the above exemptions, you should have been awarded the BVC/BPTC no more than five years prior to your enrolment on the LPC.

Partial exemption from the PSC

The PSC provider can grant exemptions if you have already acquired relevant knowledge through certificated or work-based learning.

This course is designed to build on the LPC. Completion of the LPC cannot be used to apply for exemptions from the PSC.

Ask the course provider for exemption from one or more of the electives on the PSC if you have completed:

the shortened Accounts Course as part of the Law Society Finals or the pre 1997 LPC or

the courses leading to the Higher Rights of Audience Qualifications

You don't need to pass either course to claim exemption. (This is because the PSC electives themselves have no assessments.)

Exemption applications should be made to the PSC provider directly in accordance with their policies. This is normally done when you apply for entry on the course.

Other routes to admission

If you are a Chartered Legal Executive or Assistant Justice Clerk, you may be eligible for admission without applying for exemptions.

If you are a solicitor in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland you may also be eligible for admission without applying for exemptions.